Forecasters are watching a strong El Niño pattern build in the Pacific, and the outlook for Southern California this winter is trending wetter than usual. For homeowners and business owners in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, and Palos Verdes Estates, that means it’s a good time to double-check your coverage before the rain starts — not after.
Here’s what to review.
What El Niño Could Mean for the South Bay
Climate researchers are tracking a strengthening El Niño pattern expected to peak this winter, with meteorologists cautioning that a strong event historically raises the odds of heavier-than-average rainfall across Southern California. That doesn’t guarantee a repeat of the historic storms of 1997-98, but it does mean elevated risk of:
- Heavy rain events and street/storm-drain flooding
- Hillside erosion and landslides (a real concern for Palos Verdes Estates properties)
- Wind damage
- Roof leaks and water intrusion, especially on older homes
- Coastal flooding and high surf at low-lying beach-adjacent properties
The bottom line: it’s worth confirming your policy actually covers the risks this winter is likely to bring, since standard policies leave some of the biggest ones out.
1. Flood Insurance — The Coverage Most People Are Missing
This is the big one. Standard homeowners and commercial property policies do not cover flood damage, whether it’s rising water from a storm drain overflow, a swollen creek, or water that seeps in from the yard during a downpour. That requires a separate flood policy, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood carrier.
A few things worth knowing:
- Flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, so this is not a decision to make once storms are already forecast.
- You don’t have to be in a mapped high-risk flood zone to benefit — a meaningful share of flood claims come from outside FEMA’s designated high-risk areas.
- Even if your mortgage doesn’t require it, it’s worth pricing out, especially if you’re at the base of a slope or near a storm channel.
2. Water Backup & Sump Pump Overflow Endorsement
Separate from flood insurance, this optional endorsement on your homeowners policy covers damage from water that backs up through sewers or drains, or overflows from a sump pump. It’s inexpensive and often overlooked, but it’s one of the most common water-damage claims during heavy rain seasons.
3. Dwelling Coverage — Is It Actually Enough to Rebuild?
With the cost of materials and labor still elevated, it’s worth confirming your Coverage A (dwelling limit) reflects what it would actually cost to rebuild your home today, not what you paid for it or what it’s worth on the market. Underinsuring your home is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes we see.
4. Roof Coverage and Age
Older roofs are frequently subject to actual cash value (ACV) settlement rather than full replacement cost, meaning depreciation gets deducted from a claim. If your roof is more than 10-15 years old, ask your agent how your policy would settle a roof claim this winter — the answer might surprise you.
5. Personal Property and Loss of Use
If a storm causes damage that makes your home temporarily uninhabitable, loss of use coverage helps pay for temporary housing. Combined with personal property coverage for water-damaged belongings, this is worth reviewing if your limits haven’t been checked in a few years.
6. Auto Insurance — Comprehensive Coverage
Flood and storm damage to a vehicle (driving through standing water, a tree limb falling on your car, hail) is covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto policy — not collision, and not liability-only coverage. If you carry a liability-only policy on an older vehicle, this is the moment to weigh the cost of comprehensive against the risk.
7. Business & Commercial Property Owners
If you own or lease commercial space — including a mixed-use building like mine here in Redondo Beach — a few extra items are worth checking:
- Commercial flood insurance, separate from your commercial property policy, for the same reasons as above
- Business income / business interruption coverage, in case storm damage forces a temporary closure
- Ordinance or law coverage, if an older building would need code upgrades during storm-related repairs
- Confirming your tenants carry appropriate coverage and that your lease properly allocates responsibility for storm-related damage
What To Do Before the Rain Starts
- Check your flood zone status at FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to understand your baseline risk.
- Call your agent now — flood policies have a waiting period, and it’s much easier to review coverage before a storm is on the radar than after.
- Photograph or video your home and belongings for a documented record in case you ever need to file a claim.
- Clear gutters, downspouts, and drains — not an insurance fix, but the cheapest flood prevention there is.
- Ask about bundling discounts if you’re adding flood or umbrella coverage — bundling auto, home, and flood with one carrier can often reduce the total cost.
Let’s Review Your Coverage Before Winter Hits
Every home and business is different, and the right coverage depends on your property, your location, and your risk tolerance. If you’re in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, or Palos Verdes Estates and want a second set of eyes on your policy before this winter’s storms arrive, reach out to Eastman Agency. We’ll walk through your current coverage, flag any gaps, and get you quotes on anything worth adding — flood insurance included.